REDMOND, Wash. — April 24, 2018 — On Tuesday, Declaration Networks Group Inc. (DNG) and Microsoft Corp.
announced a new agreement to deliver broadband internet access to
approximately 65,000 people on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, including
Accomack and Northampton Counties, and Garrett County, Maryland, over
the next three years. This partnership is part of Microsoft’s Rural Airband Initiative.
There are 19.4 million people living in rural America without broadband access, including nearly 30 percent of the people in rural Virginia and 6 percent
of the people in rural Maryland. Under its NeuBeam™ brand, DNG delivers
high-speed internet and voice services using a combination of advanced
wireless technologies, including TV White Spaces. Microsoft and DNG aim
to address the rural broadband gap for residents and businesses,
allowing unserved regions to fully participate in the digital economy
through access to technology and services that will enable farmers,
healthcare professionals, educators, business leaders and others in the
community.
“This partnership with Declaration Networks will help close the rural
broadband gap for 65,000 people living on the Eastern Shore of Virginia
and in Garrett County, Maryland,” said Shelley McKinley, Microsoft’s
head of Technology and Corporate Responsibility. “Broadband is essential
for agriculture, education, business and healthcare. Microsoft’s
Airband initiative is focused on bringing this necessity to 2 million
people in rural America by 2022 and accelerating the national priority
of closing the broadband gap.”
“DNG and Microsoft share a commitment to establishing quality
broadband solutions for rural America,” said Bob Nichols, CEO of DNG.
“Our partnership reflects a shared vision that focuses on an effective
plan to align stakeholders, technology and resources for a sustainable
path to address the digital divide.”
Closing the rural broadband gap is strongly supported by Virginia and Maryland leaders:
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said, “As a native of the Eastern Shore, I
am thrilled that Microsoft is taking action to bring new broadband
connectivity to communities that need it. This new effort, in addition
to ongoing efforts in state government, will help bridge the digital
divide. Connecting rural communities will help create jobs, grow our
economy and improve our quality of life. I am happy to celebrate this
positive step forward as we work to make our commonwealth work better
for all Virginians, no matter who you are or where you live.”
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said, “Reliable access to high-speed
internet is critical for Maryland’s small businesses, families and
students to thrive in our 21st century economy. We are working
diligently to eliminate the rural broadband gap and ensure that all
Marylanders have the opportunity to access trusted, cost-effective
broadband solutions.”
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner said, “Millions of Americans, particularly
in rural America, lack broadband access — a precondition to meaningful
participation in the digital economy. That’s millions of people unable
to participate in e-commerce, enroll in online courses, receive
tele-health services, and get on-demand services. It also means millions
of people unable to hone programming skills, engage in telework, or
modernize rural industries with broadband. Broadband access doesn’t
guarantee a community success, but not having it guarantees that
companies aren’t going to even consider you. I applaud efforts like
these that seek to close the digital divide, including through
innovative last-mile services.”
U.S. Rep. John K. Delaney said, “As the only former CEO of a publicly
traded company currently serving in Congress, I know how critical it is
to position our businesses, workers and families to best compete in a
global digital market. Closing the broadband gap is a critical piece of
successful education, entrepreneurship and innovation, and I applaud DNG
and Microsoft’s investment in the communities of Garrett County.”
U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor said, “We live in a digital age, where the
internet is no longer considered a luxury but a necessary part of
everyday life. The widespread lack of internet on the Eastern Shore and
across rural Virginia makes these populations especially vulnerable by
limiting their access to education, medicine and information services.
Thanks to DNG and Microsoft, we can finally begin the process of
expanding broadband networks throughout rural Virginia to equip
residents, businesses and professionals with the tools needed to succeed
in a 21st century economy.”
In addition to commercial partnerships with local companies like Declaration, Microsoft’s Rural Airband Initiative
includes digital skills training for people in newly connected
communities and access to royalty-free patents. Proceeds from Airband
connectivity projects will be reinvested into the program to expand
broadband to more rural areas.About Declaration Networks Group
DNG successfully deploys and operates broadband local access
solutions in underserved markets with a combination of advanced fiber
and wireless to deliver high speed Internet and voice services to
residential and business customers. DNG is a recognized leader in
developing sustainable broadband eco-systems through cooperative local
partnerships that leverage combined resources towards shared goals, to
increase access to affordable, quality broadband service and allowing
customers to “connect to what matters.” For more information, please
visit www.declarationnetworks.com and www.neubeam.com.About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation
for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission
is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to
achieve more.For more information, press only:
Microsoft Media Relations, WE Communications for Microsoft, +1 (425) 638-7777,
rrt@we-worldwide.com
DNG Media Inquiries, Barry S. Toser, EVP of Sales & Marketing, +1 (703) 850-7172,
barry@declarationnetworks.com